Monday, May 6
Legendary singer, songwriter, artist, poet, author and Pope Francis meeter, Patti Smith & Her Band come to The Vic for two shows this week behind 2012s excellent record, "Banga." Smith is also working on the follow up to her brilliant 2010 memoir, "Just Kids," which was a National Book Award winner. Smith and the actor Johnny Depp contributed, "The Mermaid," to the recently released pirate-themed compilation, "Son of Rogues Gallery." Listen to that song here. The Vic. 8:30 p.m.
Lo-fi singer-songwriter Bill Callahan plays in one of Chicago's most beautiful areas when he performs songs from his excellent 2011 record, "Apocalypse," tonight at the Garfield Park Conservatory's Horticultural Hall. Presented by Land and Sea Dept., this performance is one stop on Callahan's first tour since the summer of 2011. Watch the trailer for Callahan's , "Apocalypse: A Bill Callahan Tour Film," here. With Flat Foot. Garfield Park Conservatory. 7 p.m.
Cincinnati indie-rock quartet Pomegranates, who after a recent name change are now known as Healing Power, bring their blissed-out pop to Empty Bottle tonight. Check out the upbeat funkiness on new song, "Healing Power," here. With Omaha-based indie-rock trio Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship, who will play songs from their recently-released record, "You Need You." New local band Wedding Photography open with a wicked brand of post-punk as heard on the recent, "Stroke Belt." Empty Bottle. 9 p.m.
Tuesday, May 7
Dogfish Head Craft Brewery will take over the taps tonight at the Bottom Lounge with perfect music accompaniment provided by the rowdy, rollicking Waco Brothers. Featured brews include Burton Baton, Olde School, Immort Ale and 75 Minute IPA, which will have bottle artwork created by the Waco's Jon Langford. Bottom Lounge. 9 p.m.
Alt-country band Deer Tick come to town for two nights ahead of their forthcoming record, "Negativity," due out late summer or early fall. The record was produced by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, with whom Deer Tick leader John McCauley worked with in the band Diamond Rugs and includes a duet with pop singer Vanessa Carlton. Local garage-pop quintet Shiloh open with tunes from their new record, "Mrs." City Winery. 8 p.m.
Also tonight: The Hideout continues their excellent string of monthly residencies with the danceable local synth-infused quartet Chandeliers. The set tonight will focus on ambient and mood music and will also feature special guests including Deep Sleep, Axis: Sova and The Diminisher, with visuals provided by brownshoesonly. The Hideout. 9 pm.
And: Night two of Patti Smith & Her Band. The Vic. 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 8
"To Dust," the terrific new record from U.K. soul-singer Alice Russell should find the artist a larger audience. Russell recently made her network television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live performing outstanding versions of "To Dust" standouts, "Heartbreaker Part 2" and "For a While." Move over, Adele, and make room for Alice Russell. Don't miss it. Township. 8 p.m.
New Jersey-based hardcore group The Dillinger Escape Plan will slay Reggie's tonight ahead of their new offering, "One of Us is the Killer," which is set to be released next week. Give a listen to single, "Prancer," here. With The Faceless and Royal Thunder. Reggie’s. 7 p.m.
Also tonight: Little Boots, the synth-pop project of English singer-songwriter Victoria Hesketh, released her new record, "Nocturnes," this week which features contributions from Simian Mobile Disco's James Ford and Hercules and Love Affair's Andy Butler. With Avan Lava and Feathers. Lincoln Hall. 9 p.m.
And: Deer Tick close out their two-night stand tonight at City Winery. Local garage-rock quartet Twin Peaks open. City Winery. 8 p.m.
Thursday, May 9
Charles Bradley's story includes homelessness and spending years working odd jobs in various locales throughout the U.S. while never giving up on his goal to be a musician like his idol, James Brown. While performing in New York, Bradley attracted the attention of Gabriel Roth of the New York-based soul label, Daptone Records, who encouraged Bradley to record his own material. In 2011, Bradley released, "No Time for Dreaming," a sultry collection of tight soul and R&B, and will play Metro tonight in support of his fiery new record, "Victim of Love." Watch the video for dripping-with-emotion "Victim of Love," track, "Strictly Reserved for You," here. With Paul & The Tall Trees. Metro. 8 p.m. (UPDATE: This show has been postponed due to a family emergency.)
Ethereal London-based indie-folk trio Daughter come to town in support of their recently released full-length debut record, "If You Leave." Let's hope that the group has added their dreamy version of, "Get Lucky," the soon-to-be-the-song-of-the-summer from Daft Punk's, forthcoming album, "Random Access Memories" into the setlist. Opening the evening is the New York-based band Wilsen, who mine similar atmospheric territory on their debut album, Sirens." Lincoln Hall. 9 p.m.
On a recent episode of the Fox comedy, "New Girl," Jess (played by Zooey Deschanel) recalls her prom night, which included singing Lisa Loeb's '90s hit single, "Stay (I Missed You)," with a dreamy stranger. Head to City Winery tonight and tomorrow night to see if singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb sees any effects from a "New Girl" bump. And while Loeb's greatest musical successes came in the '90s, she's never gone away starring in her own TV shows (and appearing on many others), working on children's music and doing voice-over work. In January, Loeb released, "No Fairy Tale," her first album for adults since 2004. Local singer-songwriter Cameron McGill opens. City Winery. 8 p.m.
The Hayley Williams led pop-punk band Paramore come to town in support of their fourth full-length album, "Paramore," featuring the infectious singles, "Now" and "Still Into You." With Kitten. Chicago Theatre. 8 p.m.
Also tonight: The influential Queens-based hip-hop duo Mobb Deep celebrate their 20th anniversary tonight at the Double Door. The duo of Havoc (who released, "13," a solo-album this week) and Prodigy head out on tour despite a highly publicized Twitter beef last year. With Nick Coury, C-Hu$tle and Aerias. Double Door. 8 p.m.
And: Rueben Wu of U.K. electro-pop group Ladytron begins his DJ residency tonight at Beauty Bar. Wu will spin tunes on the second Thursday in May, June, August and September. With Heaven Malone, Greg Haus and Ross Kelly. Beauty Bar. 9 p.m.
Friday, May 10
Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emily Wells' 2012 record, "Mama," expertly combined elements of folk, pop and electronics, and is distinguished by the singers' exquisite voice. Wells comes to town tonight in advance of "Mama Acoustic Recordings," which is due in June. The album was recorded with guitar and accompanied only by Wells' gorgeous vocal. Listen to the stark, "Los Angeles," here. Young indie-rock duo Skating Polly open behind their new Exene Cervenka-produced record, "Lost Wonderfuls." Schubas. 10 p.m.
Tonight at the Hideout, scorching local garage-rock duo White Mystery celebrate the recent release of, "Telepathic," their new record that is packed tightly with fuzzy licks and fiery, unrelenting rock and roll including "Secret Garden," "Break a Sweat," and "Jungle Cat." With local garage-pop quartet Heavy Times and Austin garage-rock five-piece A Giant Dog, who released a phenomenal record, "Bone," in February. Check out the video for "Bone" cut "Cleveland Steven," here. The Hideout. 9 p.m.
Japanese sludge-doom-noise trio Boris settle in for a two-night stand at Lincoln Hall this weekend. Tonight, the group will perform, "All Time Classics" a selection of songs spanning the entire Boris discography, including some epic jams that have previously never been performed in the United States. With Louisville-based noise-rock trio Young Widows. Lincoln Hall. 10 p.m.
A great night of indie-pop is on tap at Subterranean tonight headlined by local quartet Minor Characters, who earlier this year released the excellent, "Heal Me, Healing Times EP." Check out a takeaway performance of the gentle track, "Sun Trials," here. Champaign-based pop band Elsinore are set to release their forthcoming record, "Push/Pull," and you can listen to the first single, "The Art of Pulling," here. Local pop outfit Brother George open playing selections from last year's terrific record, "Big Piney." Subterranean. 9 p.m.
Also tonight: "Take the Skinheads Bowling" and "Pictures of Matchstick Men" are songs that made Camper Van Beethoven beloved icons during the late '80s college-rock heyday. When the group disbanded and singer David Lowery formed Cracker, tunes such as "Low," "Teen Angst (What the World Needs Now)," and "Get Off This," made the band stars of the alternative-rock era. Camper Van Beethoven eventually reunited, and now The Cracker-Camper Van Beethoven tour rolls through town as Camper Van Beethoven celebrate their 30th anniversary as well as a new record, "La Costa Perdida." Check out the video for new song, "Someday Our Love Will Sell Us Out," here. The Cubby Bear. 9 p.m.
And: Singer-songwriter Lisa Loeb ends her two-night stand. Jonny Polonsky opens. City Winery. 8 p.m.
Saturday, May 11
A night of hilarity is sure to ensue at the Abbey Pub tonight with a taping of the Professor Blastoff podcast with comedians Tig Notaro, Kyle Dunnigan and David Huntsberger. Notaro, who along with Dunnigan now write for fellow comedian Amy Schumer's new Comedy Central show, is probably best known for her now legendary set at Largo in Los Angeles where she revealed her battle with cancer. Abbey Pub. 7:30 p.m.
U.K. indie-folk band Stornoway recently released, "Tales from Terra Firma," their highly-anticipated follow-up to 2010s, "Beachcomber's Windowsill." Tunes such as the upbeat and jangly, "Knock Me on the Head," and "You Take Me as I Am" recall early Belle & Sebastian, while "The Bigger Picture," should appeal to fans of Mumford and Sons. Watch the new video for, "The Bigger Picture," here. Field Report open. Schubas. 10 p.m.
Country singer-songwriter Brad Paisley caused a furor recently for his collaboration with "NCIS" actor, rapper, and hashtag lover, LL Cool J, for the song, "Accidental Racist," from his new record, "Wheelhouse." The song was skewered hilariously on "The Colbert Report" and "Saturday Night Live," but despite being nearly universally panned, the song is sure to be a highlight when Paisley performs it tonight in Tinley Park at First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre. With Chris Young, Lee Brice and The Henningsens. 7 p.m.
Also tonight: Folk singer-songwriter Danielle Ate The Sandwich plays an early show at Schubas tonight in support of her 2012 record, "Like a King." Opening is Briar Rabbit, the project from excellent local musician Phillip-Michael Scales. Schubas. 7 p.m.
And: Boris close out their two-night run at Lincoln Hall tonight when the trio perform songs from their 2000 record, "Flood," as well as a noise-drone-experimental set. Opening the show will be Arkansas-based doom rock quartet Pallbearer. Lincoln Hall. 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 12
Pummeling Toronto-based power trio METZ bring their ferocious attack to Lincoln Hall tonight behind their excellent self-titled debut record. Lafayette, Indiana's TV Ghost open with their mix of garage rock and psychedelia. Lincoln Hall. 9 p.m.
